Tiny Prints has brand new beautiful, classy, elegant Christmas cards this year. You can personalize 100s of cards with your photographs and your words. There are many options, such as color changes and designs for each card.
Go to my Christmas blog, 365 Days of Christmas, to see what I have to say about Tiny Prints.
Dashing Through the Snow by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark
"In the picturesque village of Branscombe, New Hampshire, the townsfolk are all pitching in to prepare for the first Festival of Joy. The night before the festival begins, a group of employees at the local market learn that they have won $180 million in the lottery. One of their co-workers, Duncan, decided at the last minute, on the advice of a pair of crooks masquerading as financial advisers, not to play. Then he goes missing. A second winning lottery ticket was purchased in the next town, but the winner hasn't come forward. Could Duncan have secretly bought it?
The Clarks' endearing heroes -- Alvirah Meehan, the amateur sleuth, and private investigator Regan Reilly -- has arrived in Branscombe for the festival They are just the people to find out what is amiss. As they dig beneath the surface, they find that life in Branscombe is not as tranquil as it appears."
It was a fast, easy read. It was very enjoyable but it lacked the intensity that is usually seen by both of these authors.
It was fun to see so many of my favorite characters (Alvirah & Willy, Regan & Jack, Nora & Luke) from both authors combined in this mystery.
Rating (1, lowest; 5, highest): 3.5
I was not compensated in any way for this review.
I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb
The book is about twins, one twin is schizophrenic, one twin feels cheated and angered. One father missing, one step-father close by. Friendships gained and lost. Life twisted, explored, and affirmed.
This is the second book from Wally Lamb that I have read in as many months. Being a new author to me makes me very critical so I was pleasantly surprised at how well I like the writings of Lamb.
Twice as thoughtful and twice as heart-wrenching . . . soul-bearing . . . gratifying . . . it is a roller coaster ride of emotions. I felt the pain and sadness of the characters. I could relate to the characters which is big feat to accomplish (one of the big reasons Lamb was rated at a 5).
Rating (1, lowest; 5, highest): 5
I was not compensated in any way for this review. I picked this book out of my children's school's community library.
Between Me and the River
Living Beyond Cancer: A Memoir
by Carrie Host
"I do have a future, and the picture of that future is made up of a multitude of tiny dots called 'right now.'"
~~ Carrie Host ~~
"Carrie knows that the diagnosis of a life-threatening illness takes a split second to change your life, as well as the lives f your partner, partners, children, and all who love you. Packed with inspiration, advice, comfort, and hope Between Me and the Rive is Carrie's candid and uplifting memoir of how she found the strength and fortitude to triumph over a rare form of cancer, and craft a new and meaningful life."
When I got this book I was really nervous because I have dealt with cancer personally. (I had cervical cancer. My father, my aunt, my grandmother, my godson, and more had cancer.) I was afraid I would cry throughout the whole book. Yes, there were times that I needed the Kleenex. There were many more times where I sat there nodding my head up and down, totally understanding and connecting with Carrie. The book is poignant and tender, honest and insightful.
This is a beautiful, compassionate story about a woman who is supported by friendships, love of family, and dedication of doctors. This powerful, thought-provoking book stays with you.
Excellent book!
Rating (1, lowest; 5 highest): 5+
Grace by Richard Paul Evans
"She was my first kiss. My first love. She was a little match girl who could see the future in the flame of a candle. She as a runaway who taught me more about life than anyone has before or since. And when she was gone my innocence left with her.
There are things that become clearer to me as a I grow older. This much I know: too many things were kept secret in those days. Things that never should have been hidden. And things that should have."
This is a story of a young runaway and the boy who hides her from a frightening world too large and unfathomable for him to comprehend. As usual for Mr. Evans, it is a roller-coaster ride of emotions. Get out the tissues.
Rating (1, lowest; 5, highest): 5
Hold Tight by Harlan Coben
"Tia and Mike Baye never imagined they'd spy on their kids. But their sixteen-year-old son Adam has been unusually distant lately, and after the suicide of his best friend Spencer Hill, they can't help but worry. Within days of installing a sophisticated spy program on Adam's compute, they are jolted by a cryptic message from an unknown correspondent that shakes them to their core: Just stay quiet and all safe.
As if Mike Baye isn't dealing with enough, he also learns that Luca Loriman, the sweet kid who grew up next door, is in urgent need of a kidney transplant. As the boy's doctor, Mike suddenly find himself in possession of an explosive secret that threatens t rip the Loriman family apart at the seams.
Nearby, while browsing through an online memorial for Spence, Betsy Hill discovers a surprising detail about the night of her son's death. Before she can find out more, Adam disappears, taking the truth with him and sending shock waves through the neighborhood.
As the lives of these families collide in tragic, unexpected, and violent ways, long-hidden connection in their small suburb begin to work their way to the surface. And when an unidentified Jane Doe is beaten to death no far away, those connections threaten to turn this quiet community upside down -- and force these desperate parents to decide whether there is any line they won't cross to protect those they love most in the world."
The book raises the question how well do you know your child(ren). Harlan's promise of a thriller falls a little short in this book.
Rating (1, lowest; 5, highest): 3.5
Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke
Inkdeath is the conclusion of the Inkheart trilogy (Inkheart, Inkspell, Inkdeath).
"Ever since the extraordinary events of Inkspell, when the enchanted book Inkheart drew Meggie and her father, Mo, into its chapters, life in the Inkworld have been more tragic than magical.
The fire-eater Dustfinger is dead, having sacrificed his life for his apprentice Farid. Now, under the rule of the evil Adderhead, the fairy-tale land is in bloody chaos, its characters far beyond the control of Fenoglio, their author. Even Elinor, left behind in the real world believes her family to be lost -- lost between the covers of a book.
Facing the threat of eternal winter, Mo inks a dangerous deal with Death itself. Yet there remains a faint hope of changing the cursed story -- if only he can fill its pages fast enough."
Cornelia's stunning and spellbinding descriptions keep you in suspense and filled with magic. You will feel joy, pain, suspense, anger, hope.
Rating (1, lowest; 5 highest): 4.5
Storm Cycle by Iris Johansen and Roy Johansen
"Rachel Kirby is a computer genius whose personal life is falling apart. Even as she stands on he brink of a stunning technological breakthrough, her beloved younger sister is plagued by a rare chronic illness that will eventually kill her, laving Rachel all alone.
But thousands of miles away archaeologist/adventurer John Tavek has made a priceless discovery in an Egyptian tomb. A discovery, Rachel realizes, that humankind has been seeking throughout history -- a secret that may save her sister's life and many thousands more. But a powerful organization is also in hot pursuit, led by a man who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
Against all odds, Rachel joins forces with the brilliant, enigmatic Tavak in an adventure that will take them across three continents. They have but one piece of a much large puzzle, and it will take all of their wits, instincts, and cutting-edge technology to bring to light an ancient civilization's most amazing legacy."
The details and research and charismatic characters live up to the usual "can't put the book down" writing of Iris Johansen. With her son's help they put together a captivating tale. It is a whirlwind of an adventure and the technological details are gripping.
Rating (1, lowest; 5 highest): 4
Laurie from Piggy Paint send us a small package of goodies. The package contained a bottle of Nail Polish Remover and a bottle of Tea Party for Two nail polish.
Cassandra's, age 7, Review: It didn't stink. Awesome blue color. Easy to use. The nail polish looks nice. I feel all grown up being able to use it myself.
Mom's Review: I love that it is pretty much odorless, both the fingernail polish and the nail polish remover. It is hypoallergenic with no toxic chemicals and made in the USA (hooray!). It doesn't offend your nose or the atmosphere. I like that aloe vera and vitamin E are added as supplements to protect the nails and cuticles. One layer of nail polish is enough for full coverage. I like that it is safe and non-toxic for my daughter to use on her own.
To meet the mother and creator of Piggy Paint, click here to learn about her journey into the world of finger nail polish.
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
"One cruel night, Meggie's father reads aloud from Inkheart, and an evil ruler named Capricorn escapes the boundaries of the book, landing in their living room. Suddenly, Meggie's in the middle of the kind of adventure she thought only took place in fairy tales. Somehow she must master the magic that has conjured up this nightmare. Can she change the course of the story that has changed her life forever?"
A wonderfully embroidered fairy tale. This story will delight readers who like an exciting plot with larger-than-life characters. I was disappointed in how long it took to get the story "started". This book, while engaging, could be told in half the amount of pages. Funke likes her imaginative and skillful adjectives.
Rating (1, lowest; 5 highest): 4.5
If you're like me (and most other people) you've got some health or fitness goals that you'd like to achieve. That's why I wanted to tell you about the SparkAmerica Challenge over at SparkPeople.com.
SparkPeople is a FREE website for people looking to improve their health and fitness levels.
SparkAmerica is a year-long fitness challenge designed to motivate Americans to improve their health by consistently taking small, positive action steps. The focus of this campaign is a 1 billion fitness minute challenge that makes fitness fun, keeps you motivated, and helps you reach your goals.
By Joining SparkPeople You Get:
- Calorie Counter & Meal Plans: Take the guesswork out of what to eat with these powerful customizable tools.
- Personalized Fitness Plan & Exercise Demos: Burn calories and tone your muscles with routines you can do at home or at the gym, plus online exercise videos.
- Active Support Message Boards: Get help from thousands of other people like you who are losing weight with SparkPeople.
- Advice From Our Experts: Our programs are designed by registered dieticians and personal trainers, who are also there to answer your questions.
- Member Created Goal Teams: Find others with similar goals and work towards success together.
- Recipes, Articles, Tips and More: Thousands of articles and over 60,000 recipes to learn more about eating right, staying active, and sticking to your program.
My outlook on life and even my knowledge about health and fitness has improved.
Join SparkPeople for free today.
Precious Girls Giveaway
My precious girl, Cassandra, has discovered a new love: The Precious Girls Club created by the brains behind Precious Moments.
The Precious Girls Club is more than a club - it's a way of thinking, acting, and living. PGC is dedicated to helping young girls discover how wonderful and fun it is to be precious.
For me, keeping my girls innocent and precious for as long as possible is a top priority. I have found that already in second grade, Cassandra is being faced with many adult situations; boyfriends just to name one; and Renee is faced with bullying. I am thrilled to find that at least one company is doing all they can to help me, as a single parent, keep my daughters free of these adult situations and innocent for as long as possible.
The generous people from Mom Select sent me an envelope of goodies to check out. My girls, Cassandra, 7; Renee, 9, love to read and the book, A Little Bit of Faith, quickly became a favorite. The book is the first book in the Precious Girls Series.
About the book:
A charming chapter book that tells the story of Katie Bennett and her friends and how the Precious Girls Club was inspired by "a little bit of Faith." 72 pages. It is a wonderfully inspirational story about a young girl, Katie, who overcomes her own fears with a little bit of faith and gains a lot in return. It teaches young girls that they are precious in God sight, that God created them special, and that He loves them just the way they are.
They also sent 4 paperback copies for me to giveaway here on my blog.
They also included Precious Girls Club Scratch Cards. The access codes included on the scratch cards (and books) will unlock a free month of premium Rainbow Club membership to access special content on the site, http://www.preciousgirlsclub.com/. Visitors to the site will be able to design their own virtual character and room, earn Precious Points towards virtual items, and take part in a variety of games and activities.
Premium Rainbow membership provides all of these same benefits, plus additional exclusive content and activities. Playing on the site is always free, but the access codes will unlock a free month of Premium Rainbow Club membership to access special content on the site. To continue the Premium Rainbow membership, you pay a small fee of $3.95 monthly. Best of all, $1.00 of your monthly $3.95 membership fee goes directly to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
What little girl wouldn’t want to win one of these books? Even if you don’t have a precious girl of your own, I’m sure you know one . . . because aren’t all little girls precious?
To win, head over to the Precious Girls Club Shop, check out all the awesome products, then come back here and comment on which is your favorite product. Yes, it is that easy.
All the entries will be put into a drawing and random generator will pick the winners. The giveaway ends Saturday, February 14th.
The Elegant Gathering of White Snows by Kris Radish
"For eight women, friendship is the first step of the most remarkable journey of all . . .
Just after midnight in a small town in Wisconsin, eight woman begin walking together down a rural highway. Career women, housewives, mothers, divorcees, and one ex-prom queen, they are close friends who have been meeting every Thursday night for years, sharing food, whine, and their deepest secrets. But on this particular Thursday, Susan, Alice, Chris, Sandy, Gail, Mary, Joanne, and Janice decided to disappear from their own lives.
Their spontaneous pilgrimage attracts national attention and inspires other women from all across the country. As the miles fall away and the women forge ahead on their backroads odyssey -- leaving small miracles in their wake -- each of their histories unfolds, tales of shattered dreams and unexpected renewal, of thwarted love affairs and precious second chances.
In luminous, heartwarming prose, Kris Radish deftly interweaves the women's intimate confessions into the story of their brave history-making walk."
A rallying cry for the empowerment of women and a celebration of the strong bond that exists between female friends.
Rating (1, lowest; 5 highest): 5
Double Take by Catherine Coulter
"The police are convinced that Julia Ransom is guilty of the brutal murder of her husband, renowned psychic August Ransom. But after six months of investigation and media frenzy, she is free of their scrutiny, because of the lack of evidence. One afternoon she walks from her Pacific Heights home to Fisherman's Wharf, alone, unwatched, and -- she realizes, happy. Standing at the railing on Pier 39, she savors the sounds around her -- tourists, countless seals on the barges, and for a moment enjoys the sheer normalcy of it all. It suddenly comes to an end when a respectable-looking man distracts her with conversation before striking her unconscious and heaving her over the rail into the San Francisco Bay. If it weren't for Special Agency Cheney Stone, Julia would drown. Cheney quickly realizes the attempt on Julia's life must be connected with the murder of her husband, and reopens the investigation with the SFPD.
Meanwhile, in Maestro, Virginia, Sheriff Dixon Noble (last seen in Point Blank) learns about a woman named Charlotte Pallack, whose extraordinary resemblance to his vanished wife, Christie, gone for three years, sends him across the country. Although in his heart he knows that this woman can't possibly be his missing wife, Dix is compelled to see her with his own eyes.
In San Francisco, Dix's and Cheney's paths cross, brought together by FBI Special Agents Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock. All four begin to unlock the mystery behind Charlotte Pallack's identity, as well as the forces behind Julie Ransom's attempted murder and the vicious murder of her husband. The most fascinating aspect of the case is the extraordinary cast of psychics they meet as they push deep into the intriguing and complex world of visions, mind benders, and communications with the dead. As the stakes and the body count rise, Savich, Sherlock, Dix, and Cheney fight for answers -- and their lives."
Another great book by Coulter, but a little slow in bringing in all the characters and making them pertinent to the plot. I figured out the mystery man behind the killings so that was disappointing.
Rating (1, lowest; 5, highest): 4.
Carrot Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke
"Hannah Swenswe has a lot on her plate, baking up a storm for The Cookie Jar. But she'll always make time for her business partner, Lisa, who's preparing for a big family reunion. Everyone is delighted when Lisa's long-lost uncle makes a surprise appearance. No one has heard from Gus in wenty-five years. Uncle Gus is immediately the hit of the reunion. He's almost as popular as Hannah's scrumptious carrot cake. But the next morning, as the whole family gathers for the group photo, one person is missing. Hannah offers to track down Uncle Gus, but her search leads toa shocking find. Over by the bar at the pavilion, she spots two slices of her infamous carrot cake, frosting-side down on the floor -- and Gus's corpse with an ice pick jutting out of his chest.
A little snooping reveals that not everyone was celebrating Gus's return. And when Hannah unearths secrets from Gus's past, she discovers many more people with an axe to grind. Now Hannah's got to sift through a long list of suspects to find a killer -- even if it could mean a recipe for her own demise..."
Rating (1, lowest; 5, highest): 5.
I love this series with Hannah. I love mysteries and a great sense of humor and Joanne does both. Think... James Patterson meets Janet Evanovich without the detail and gore of James (though, I love his books too).
Double Cross by James Patterson
Another excellent thriller by Patterson. I hated the ending... it does leave you hanging. The good news with the ending, I'm hoping, is that there is more to come. I love the Alex Cross series.
Rating (1, lowest; 5, highest): 5.
"Just when Alex Cross's life is calming down, he is drawn back into the game to confront a criminal mastermind like no other. The elaborate murders that have stunned Washington, DC, are the wildest that Alex Cross has ever seen. This maniac adores an audience, and stages his killings as spectacles in public settings. Alex is pursuing a genius of terror who has the whole city on edge as it waits for his next move. And the killer loves the attention, no doubt -- he even sets up his own Web site and live video feed to trumpet his madness.
In Colorado, another criminal mastermind is planning a triumphant return. From his super-maximum-security prison cell, Kyle Craig has plotted for years to have one chance at an impossible escape. If he has to join forces with DC's Audience Killer to get back at the man who put him in that cell -- Alex Cross -- all the better."
Christmas Magic is two books in one. Mistletoe and Holly by Janet Daily and
Sweet Sea Spirit by Emilie Richards.
Mistletoe and Holly: "Christmas festivities were the furthest things from Leslie Stiles's mind when she left the city for her aunt's house in Vermont. Her plans were foiled. Her neighbor Tagg Williams ignited a spark in her with his contagious Christian enthusiasm. It was the season of giving and Christmas filled the air. Could Leslie resist the season... and her heart's desire?"
Sweet Sea Spirit: "Hanging upside down from a giant tree, free-spirited Sandy MacDonald met Tyler Hamilton, on of Georgia's most prominent attorneys. Tyler was from a world that demanded sophistication and elegance. If there was one things Sandy couldn't resist, it was a challenge... a challenge that seemed insurmountable until Christmas showed her the miracles of love."
I don't usually read romantic novels but I do love Christmas time so the title appealed to me. Yes, I was rooting for the romance and so happy when both couples finally got together.
Rating (1, lowest; 5, highest): 4
Your handwriting reveals that you are Sociable.
Your writing style reflects that you tend to feel connected to others, and that you help to facilitate that connection through your clear written communication. Tickle research indicates that people who are sociable generally have a few or all of the following characteristics in their writing: prefer printing over cursive, a left margin that doesn't get narrower or wider toward the bottom, avoids using very heavy pressure when writing, a large or very large letter size, doesn't print in all lower case letters, &/or regular writing is clear and legible.
Your writing tends to be particularly clear, which is a sign that you're trying to be communicative and make it easy for others to read your writing. Of all of the personality characteristics that are projected in your writing, sociability is the one that predominates. However, Tickle has also included in this report a comprehensive handwriting analysis, using traditional methods, to give you a deeper view into what a handwriting analyst might say about you based on your writing.
The Ten Major Components of Your Handwriting
Graphologists use a number of techniques to decipher your handwriting. Tickle's test focuses on the ten most revealing and prominent traits: Slant, Baseline, Margins, Spacing, Pressure, Size, Speed, Zones, Style, and Signature. This section explains the basic rationale behind each trait, as well as the specific meaning of your personalization of that trait.
Your Slant
As children, we're taught to slant to the right, primarily because we write from left to right. This means that a rightward slant is the most common slant, though some people have a leftward, vertical, or varied slant. While you might assume that left-handed people are more likely to slant to the left, graphologists have discovered that an equal percentage of lefties and righties slant in both directions.
You have a rightward slant. According to handwriting analysts, rightward slant indicates that you focus your thoughts and efforts on the future, despite any fears or reservations about what's to come. Because we write from left to right on the page, leaning toward the right indicates a leaning toward the future. Thus, your slant indicates that you tend to express your true feelings. Your expressiveness may lead you to be particularly affectionate, as well as passionate about the people and things you care about most. Like you, Marie Curie had a distinctive rightward slant.
Your Baseline
The baseline is the invisible line we use to guide our handwriting on a blank sheet of paper. Some baselines are relatively straight, while others slant upward, downward, or vary as the line progresses to the edge of the page. When you start at the left-hand side of the page, you're in the past. As you write across the page, you move through the present and to the future. Handwriting analysts believe that the angle of your baseline as you progress through this metaphorical time continuum reveals information about your general moods, your attitudes toward the past, present, and future, and your level of mental energy.
You have a straight baseline. Handwriting analysts say that this means your emotions and your outward behavior is stable and even-keeled. You likely exert a certain level of self-control over your external expression of your mood. People can count on you to be consistent and careful. While a relatively straight baseline indicates stability, an overly straight baseline (one created by writing with a ruler, or one that looks as if it's been written using a ruler), is a sign that one is over-controlling their behavior to compensate for a deeper fear of losing control.
Your Margins
Graphologists see the blank page as a representation of your life. The top of the page represents your past; the bottom represents your future. Likewise, the left side symbolizes your past, and the right side represents your future. The size and placement of your margins speaks to how you balance your relationship with the past and present, as well as how you interact with the people you encounter. The ideal, standard margin for adults is to start roughly 1 to 1½ inches in from the left and to go as far as you can to the edge of the right-hand side without moving into it and having to crunch your words.
Your Full Page
You exhibit the ideal, standard margins on all sides of the page. Analysts believe this standard formatting indicates a healthy relationship with your past and your future.
Your Left Margin
Because we write from left to right, the left side of the page reveals our feelings about our past. Your standard left margin leads graphologists to conclude that you have a healthy relationship with your past.
Your Right Margin
Our right margins relate to our feelings about the future. Graphologists believe that your standard right margin means you have a timid relationship with the future. You're more likely than others to be inhibited.
Your Top Margin
You have a large top margin. Your adherence to standard formatting points to your more formal, humble nature. Because you allow for the standard amount of room in your top margin, you're likely more considerate and respectful in your interactions with others.
Your Lower Margin
Handwriting analysts deem your lower margin wide. Because the bottom of the page represents the future, your avoidance of some of the usable space in the lower margin may indicate a fear of the future and avoidance of forward-movement in life.
Your Indentations
Because every line of your paragraphs are aligned, as opposed to having an indentation in the first line of each paragraph, graphologists would speculate that you're slightly inhibited and shy.
Your Spacing
The spacing between your letters, words, and lines of writing all reveal how you feel about your relationship to others. Analysts see each word as an expression of yourself, and how close you place those words reveals your unconscious emotional and physical boundaries with others. Because spacing will vary with how fast you're writing, standard spacing is generally anything that doesn't stand out as unusual.
Your Spacing Between Letters and Words
The spacing between your letters and between your words is standard. Analysts say this means that you tend to be orderly, while at the same time maintaining an open-minded and relaxed attitude.
Your Spacing Between Lines
You have standard, even line spacing, which points to your being a consistent, even-keeled person with clear intelligence.
Your Pressure
The pressure of your handwriting relates to how hard you're pressing down when you're writing. Analysts believe that the pressure of one's writing relates to the amount of mental energy and intensity the writer is experiencing. Pressure is a trait that can change regularly, depending on your mood. However, most people generally write with a medium pressure.
The heavy pressure you exert while writing is a sign that you're assertive, energetic, and forceful.
Your Size
Because the blank paper represents your life and your surroundings, the size of your writing represents the way you relate to your surroundings. Analysts learn to determine size by examining many handwriting samples, and comparing those samples over time. Because size isn't a fixed trait, and the size of the paper can impact the size of your writing, it can be useful to view several samples to get the most accurate reading of your handwriting size.
Graphologists would categorize the size of your writing as medium. They'd say you're someone who feels socially normal and possesses an average ability of concentration. The majority of people write this way, except for when they're experiencing a temporary shift in mood.
Your Speed
The speed at which you write is a sign of intelligence, spontaneity, patience, and honesty. Adults of average intelligence who are being truthful generally don't write slowly most of the time. When someone generally writes quickly, but suddenly slows down over a few words, graphologists often suspect that those words could be untrue or conflicted.
The slow speed at which you generally write indicates a guarded nature.
Your Zones
Your handwriting can be dissected into three zones: the upper, middle, and lower zones. Tickle's handwriting test focused on your upper zone, which represents your mind, and your lower zone, which represents your instincts and desires. In graphology, the standard balance for the zones is for your middle zone to take up half the amount of space as your upper or middle zones. Graphologists reap a lot of information from the size and proportion of the zones, as well as the shape of the letters that appear in each zone.
Your Lower Zone
The length of your lower loop is normal, which means you are likely consistent and able to stick with things — such as mates, jobs, and locations — for a long time. The normal shape of your lower loop shows that you're able to maintain an affectionate, monogamous sexual relationship.
The normal shape of your lower loop shows that you're able to maintain an affectionate, monogamous sexual relationship.
The size of your lower loop is normal, which means you're sexually satisfied and happy with the status of your material life.
Your Upper Zone
Your rounded upper loop reveals that you are tender and sympathetic.
The lead in into your upper loop means that you're likely indirect and less efficient than others.
Your Style
The style of your handwriting refers to whether you generally use print or cursive, or a combination of the two. The reason for your choice is significant to graphologists. One reason for this is that printing only certain words or phrases may be an indication of dishonesty. Another reason is that statistically, more men print than women. Some analysts believe this is because boys' fine motor skills aren't as advanced as girls' at the age at which printing is taught, which makes it more difficult in general for boys to learn to write. By the time cursive is being taught, many boys have decided they don't care for handwriting, and even though their fine motor skills have caught up by this point, many are reluctant to take on a whole new kind of writing with the same gusto. Once they're no longer forced to write in cursive, many boys return to print.
Your Printed and Cursive Writing
You've indicated that you generally try to print, even though your cursive writing is legible. Handwriting analysts believe this means you don't want to reveal your true personality to others, and that you consider the effect you have on others.
Capitalization of Your Printed Writing
When you write in standard capital and lower case letters, you maintain the distinctions among the three zones of writing. Handwriting analysts believe this means you like things to be neat and orderly, and that you generally follow the rules necessary to keep things clear.
Your Signature
While the majority of your handwriting communicates your conscious feelings and ideas, your signature represents your unconscious public self-image. In your signature, you convey your public identity: how you see your public self, how you wish others would see you, and how you think others do see you. By comparing your signature with the rest of your writing, graphologists seek to determine if your public and private personas are similar or different. Your
Signature Style
You've indicated that your Signature Style is similar to the rest of your handwriting. This means that you're a person who lives by a "what you see is what you get" ethos. You aren't likely to show off or put on airs in public. Your
Signature Size
Because your signature is slightly larger than the rest of your writing, analysts believe that you have a degree of self-confidence in public that is healthy and appropriate.
Your Signature's Legibility
Having both a signature and writing that are clear and legible indicates that you are considerate and respectful, and that you hope to communicate both your thoughts and your true self to others.
Your Signature's Underscore
Not having an underscore indicates that you don't feel the need to emphasize yourself publicly.
Your Signature's Initials
Because the initials in your signature are the standard amount larger than the other letters, graphologists think you have a desire to stand out in public and be socially prominent.
Your Signature Placement
Placing your signature on the right-hand side of the page indicates that you go along with what you're taught. You're also particularly conscious of your public persona.
Handwriting ABCs
In addition to the ten handwriting traits just discussed, handwriting analysts also take into account the formation of individual letters. This section of your report reveals what graphologists would say about your letter formation.
Your lower-case "b" demonstrates that you have the ability to persevere through difficult circumstances.
Your lower-case "g" reveals that you are an honest person who is well-educated.
Handwriting analysts believe that your lower-case "j" indicates that you think analytically and act cautiously.
Your capital "O" is a sign that you're determined and discreet.
Albert Einstein’s Signature
Handwriting analysts believe you can tell a lot about a person's public persona from their signature. Albert Einstein's signature has initials that are somewhat larger than the rest of his letters. According to graphologists, this indicates that he had a desire to stand out in public and be socially prominent. As one of the most brilliant and imaginative minds of the 20th Century, we also know that Einstein was one of the more publicly playful scientists in history. He certainly didn't seem to mind having his photo taken or being in the spotlight.
Einstein's signature is also pretty legible. Graphologists would interpret this to mean he hoped to communicate his thoughts and true self to others. The ascending baseline in his signature is a sign of healthy mental energy and a strong possibility of success in his endeavors. Sounds about right!
The History of Graphology
The first historical records of graphology date back to 11th century China, where a man named Kuo Jo Hsu said it was possible to discern personality characteristics from people's handwriting. Confucius once said, "Handwriting can infallibly show whether it comes from a person who is noble-minded or from one who is vulgar." Then, in 1622, an Italian man named Camillo Baldi wrote the philosophical book On the Way of Knowing the Nature and Qualities of the Writer by Analyzing a Letter Missive. It wasn't until 1875, though, that French Abbot Jean Hyppolyte Michon coined the phrase "graphology."
In 1869, Frenchman Jean Michon wrote The Mysteries of Handwriting, which was later followed by The Practical Method. Both of these books were based upon countless studies and analysis, and they are still largely the basis of graphology today. At the end of that century, when psychology emerged as a science, psychiatrists Rene Rasten, Paul Joire, and Paul Carton, combined psychology with graphology to create graphotherapy, the science of changing personality characteristics by changing elements and characteristics of the individual's handwriting.
Today graphologists use the empirical method of blind studies to derive data about the meaning behind handwriting. For instance, if graphologists are trying to determine if a particular personality trait, such as alcoholism, can be revealed by handwriting, they first agree on the criteria for that trait, and then they sample a large number of people who are known to have that trait, as well as a control group of a large number of people who don't exhibit this trait. Based on their findings, they determine if this trait can accurately be detected in one's handwriting.
Graphology in the Courtroom
There are all kinds of interesting uses for handwriting analysis; perhaps the most intriguing application is using graphology to solve crimes. Handwriting analysts are often asked to testify in criminal court cases, and often the handwriting of suspects is examined to see if particular writing characteristics are consistent with the traits of the criminal (such as being a deceitful, angry, or extremely introverted person). Graphologists are often employed to examine suicide notes to determine if they're genuine or forgeries done by the deceased's murderer. Handwriting analysis is also useful in determining if wills were signed willingly or under duress, or if a document is a forgery.
In one famous case, handwriting analysis was employed to help link the murderer to his victims. Serial killer Ted Bundy's victims were in different states and were murdered in a variety of different ways, which made it difficult for authorities to link the crimes to one perpetrator. However, Bundy did have one common technique that he used with the majority of his victims: he lured them over by buying them a drink and accompanying it with a note inviting them to sit with him. It was by comparing these notes that investigators realized that they were looking for one serial killer, not several different murderers. Without graphology, authorities may never have realized — or been able to prove — the full extent of his crimes.
References
Amend, Karen, and Ruiz, Mary. Handwriting Analysis. (New Page Books), 1986.
Imberman, Arlyn, and Rifkin, June. Signature for Success. (Andrews McMeel Publishing) 2003. Lowe, Shiela R. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Handwriting Analysis. (Alpha Books), 1999.
McNichol, Andrea. Handwriting Analysis: Putting It to Work for You. (Contemporary Books), 1994.
Rodgers, Vimala. Your Handwriting Can Change Your Life! (Fireside), 2000. Santoy, Claude. The ABCs of Handwriting Analysis: A Guide to Techniques and Interpretations. (Marlow and Company), 1994.
|
Add this to your site |
